FFYF Capsule Collection: Fiscal Year 2027 Appropriations

Overview

Each year, Congress determines funding levels for all federal defense and non-defense discretionary programs, including those that support the care and education of children from birth through age five. Over the past fifteen years, federal early learning programs have seen steady, significant increases through increased, bipartisan investments from both Congress and the White House. 

These funds provide the backbone of child care and early learning in our nation. Annually, nearly $31.30 billion in federal mandatory and discretionary funds support early care and education for children birth to five, compared to $15.36 billion in state match spending.  

• Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG): The largest source of federal funding for child care. Congress sets funding levels; states have flexibility in how funds support families and providers in their communities.  
• Early Head Start/Head Start: Delivers comprehensive early learning, health, nutrition, and family support services for eligible children and their families.  
• Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5): Help states strengthen, align, and expand their early learning systems. 

Key Info

Committees 

The initial spending bill for child care and early learning programs is overseen by the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education and Related Agencies subcommittee (or “Labor-H”). 

• Senate Appropriators: Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME), Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA). Labor-H Subcommittee Chair Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) 
• House Appropriations: Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-OK), Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). Labor-H Subcommittee Chair Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) 

2026 Dates 

• March 17: FFYF’s hosts “FFYF’s ABCs of Federal Early Learning” briefing on the Hill for Members and staff.  
• March 25: The child care and early learning community sends Congressional appropriators a Community Letter calling for increased funding in FY27
• March 27: Deadline for House Dear Colleague letters in support of FY27 child care and early learning funding.
• April 3: Expected release of White House Budget Proposal
• June/July: Potential markup from Appropriators (with initial decisions on funding levels)
• September 30: End of the Fiscal Year. Congress must either pass a spending package by midnight, a temporary “Continuing Resolution,” or face a government shutdown.

Letters 

• FY27 Dear Colleage Letter Recap!: An overview of the FY27 Dear Colleague letters with statistics on number of signers.
• FY27 Dear Colleague Letters: Dear Colleague letters from Republicans and Democrats with funding asks for child care and early learning programs. 
• Community letter: FFYF and a coalition of 89 child care and early learning organizations from 32 states have a new letter to Congressional appropriators calling for increased funding for federal early learning and care programs, including:
  • CCDBG: Increase of at least $3.57 billion, for a total of at least $12.4 billion
  • Early Head Start/Head Start: Increase of at least $1.91 billion for a total of at least $14.27 billion
  • PDG B-5: At least $315 million

Ask 

• Please urge your Members of Congress to show support for the child care and early learning programs working families need. 
  • Share this Action Toolkit with information, emails, social posts, more
  • Take direct action here!

Resources 

From topline to in-depth, these resources can be used in meetings with staffers, with reporters, or simply to get up to speed on the importance of federal funding to child care and early learning.  

• The First Five Things to Know: Appropriations FY27: What you need to know about FY27 appropriations and it’s impact on child care and early learning.
• ABCs of Federal Early Learning Programs: Contains an overview of each of the federally funded early learning and care programs. 
• Federal Funding is Foundational: The federal government provides the majority of public funding needed to undergird the  child care in the United States. 
• Polling – In this 2026 polling, nearly three out of four voters (74%) say federal funding for child care and early learning is a good use of tax dollars, including 53% of Republicans, 77% of Independents, and 93% of Democrats.  
• Video – ABCs of Federal Early Learning Programs: This 2-minute video explains how federal funding helps families find and afford quality child care and early learning programs for their young children. 
• FY27 Key Early Learning Programs (coming soon) 

Events 

• FFYF’s ABCs of Federal Early Learning briefing

Looking Back: FY26 

• FY26 Capsule Collection: Links to all of the updates and resources used during the FY26 Appropriations process.  
• FY26 State of Play: Track what happened and when 
• Key Early Learning Programs FY26: Funding levels across key programs, including initial levels proposed by the community, White House, House, and Senate as well as what was included the final spending package. 
• FY26 Early Learning and Child Care Appropriations Letters: Dear Colleague letters from Republicans and Democrats with funding asks for child care and early learning programs.